6 Simple Tips for Workplace Success
Creating Workplace Success
The workplace can be a real minefield of challenging interpersonal dynamics. None of what I’m going to say here is new or earth-shattering, but these six helpful tips bear repeating.
6 Simple Tips for Workplace Success
The first tip is, “Take responsibility for yourself.” No-one respects a colleague or employee who blames others for their problems or mistakes. No-one trusts such a person either. If you want to be put in positions of greater responsibility, you need to show your bosses that you can take responsibility for your actions.
The second tip is, “Get along with the people in your workplace.” This is as important as, and sometimes even more important than your productivity. Your superiors don’t want to have to deal with the problems that arise from your interpersonal difficulties. They’ll respect you more if you have cordial working relationships, and will be aggravated with you if you don’t.
Tip number three is, “Practice defensive working.” Just like with defensive driving, where you literally steer clear of the dangerous drivers, you need to identify the problematic person or people in your workplace and engage with them as minimally as possible. You don’t want to be seen as the person who’s always in conflict with “so-and-so”. It will look bad for you.
The fourth tip for workplace success is, “Make your boss look good.” If your boss sees that you’re an asset to their career they’ll want to keep you around, which could translate into better working conditions and more money for you.
Tip number five is, “Don’t go out of your way to point out your mistakes.” If your boss comes to you with a problem, do admit your part in it, but try to put the least incriminating spin on your role as you can. You don’t have to go out of your way to draw their attention to where you’ve messed up. It’s hard enough to get ahead. Own your part but don’t overly-incriminate yourself.
Finally, remember that “Your workplace is not your home, and the people you work with aren’t your friends or family.” You need to be strategic in your workplace relationships in a way that you don’t have to with your loved ones.
Your colleagues or boss might love the work you do but that doesn’t mean they love you, and that’s as it should be. What counts is that you’re cordial with each-other. Most importantly, you shouldn’t count on them to build your self-esteem; for example, you shouldn’t overwork, in order to “prove” how dedicated you are. If there’s a good, strategic reason for putting in the extra hours, then go for it. If you’re looking for your boss’s approval, stop it now. You’re setting yourself up to be exploited, nothing more.
To sum up: emotional intelligence is essential for workplace success, so take responsibility for your stuff but don’t fall on your own sword; try to get along with people but don’t confuse your colleagues with your loved ones, and be strategic in subtly letting your boss know that you’re responsible for their looking good and by avoiding troublesome co-workers who could undermine your success.
Hopefully, these reminders can help you boost your performance in your current workplace or help you do better in a future position.
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About the Author
Marcia Sirota MD FRCP(C) is a board-certified psychiatrist, that does not ascribe to any one theoretical school. Rather, she has integrated her education and life experiences into a unique approach to the practice of psychotherapy. She considers herself a realist with a healthy measure of optimism. Sign up here for her free monthly wellness newsletter. Listen here to her latest podcast. marciasirotamd.com
